Maximus Castus

Indie Elder Scrolls roleplay blog. Muse can be used in either Skyrim or Oblivion setting. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

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Young and beautiful Mannimarco

[shadowllark-deactivated20211207]

@sonofcyrodiil this straight up looked like hession to me and i’m. ashamed

[sonofcyrodiil]

@shadowllark yeah i’ve been told a few times he looks like Manni. he doesn’t appreciate it LOL

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tried my hand at digital art and drew lark!

[jeweledmaiden-deactivated202107]

13th of Frostfall, 4E 201

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Stowaway

[sonofcyrodiil]

“Hadrian, our store’s stock is more than sufficient and so is our money! You don’t need to leave us!”

“Securing this contract will benefit both us and the Empire. I can’t turn this down, Severa. You know the Empire is suffering.”

“And? It’s not your job to venture into dangerous waters. You’re not a soldier. You can’t be involved in this bloody turmoil. It’s not worth it!” 

“It’s a simple signing of a contract and delivering our share of it. Nothing out of the ordinary. We’ll be careful. We always are, you know that, my love.”

Yet the previous night’s conversation with his wife repeated itself ad nauseam no matter how many familiar sights they crossed as they left the Imperial City’s port. His very own ship bobbing across the glittering waves into the open ocean provided no level of comfort with tendrils of guilt tightening around every inch of his thoughts. 

Severa was right. At some point he needed to accept that his dreams of sailing far and wide were finished, but the urge still nipped at him after thirty years of adventures.

Needing another distraction, Hadrian snatched the list of goods and thumped down the stairs below deck to check through supplies for no other reason than to distract himself. He didn’t mind going through their supplies to make sure they were organized. That, and admiring the craftsmanship of foreign wares. Amber vases from Elsweyr, miniature gardens in glass bottles, the beautiful red blankets from the Alik’r decorated with gold and blue stars. He pawed through a stack of blankets, careful to not to knock the lovely handiwork to the floor. 

Though that long piece of dark hair mingled in the blankets would not look professional. He tried to toss it but...it seemed to be stuck. Really stuck. Suspiciously stuck. He lifted the blankets only for his heart to nearly stop. 

“Leona!” He shouted, nowhere near the delighted exclamation she heard when she visited her aunt and uncle. It certainly wouldn’t be followed by “Max is waiting for you in the backyard for a practice sword fight again!”

“Get those dirty boots on the ground this instant! What were you thinking? This isn’t a place for children!”

[jeweledmaiden-deactivated202107]

“Is any man ever ready to give the order that will mean the deaths of many?“

[jeweledmaiden-deactivated202107]

Man to Man

[sonofcyrodiil]

“I’m...unsure,” Max replied. “She escorted me here and hoped to be back in time after delivering pelts to her brother. Heh.” He glanced at Eiric. “You don’t need to worry your sweet little head into a tizzy about that. At. All.” 

Max let out a long breath when Millie’s indignant voice cut through the door. He gave Aurette a forced smile and knocked on the girl’s door. 

“Millie.” He pushed open the door. “C’mon, wash up. I didn’t come here for you to sulk in your room. You ought to do what your mother asks of you. I expect you to be ready in ten minutes, understand?”

[jeweledmaiden-deactivated202107]

Small Hands

[sonofcyrodiil]

The crackling fire, Aurette’s soft page turns, and Mary’s sweet song, albeit slightly off, gave him the perfect, calm time to rewrite his faded recipe book. Jesper was with Mary while she played. They were never far from each other. He, too, had taken up practicing the lute. The two could often be heard whispering pointers to one another. Anthea had disappeared with Millian. Whether the older girl liked it or not, she quickly acquired a small, firm attachment wanting to “only lift her sword for one second.”

So similar to Millian at that age. Ready to take on towering heights that were too much for a young, spirited girl. 

Twelve years.

Max raised his gaze to her lowered head. He watched her slender fingers trace the detailed book cover. 

“Nor I.”

He joined her side with his hand in her own tender hold. Those small, yet strong hands. She couldn’t hide the glistening tears in her blue eyes. Her smile formed wrinkles on her pink cheeks. Those wrinkles, remnants of a thousand grins and laughs they shared. Their bodies melting against every bend, and every breath calmer than the last. Every wrong moment erased by this. By her. 

He squeezed his eyes shut to block his welling tears. She opened her heart to him, trusted him with her daughter, but he kept her in the dark about so much. How many times he wanted to speak to her privately. How many times his tongue went to form a word in the brief silences between them. To answer the questions her concerned expression asked when he shut down. By now, the time to talk was gone. It was never the right time. 

“Twelve years and still so much we haven’t talked about. I guess that’s true for everyone, though. I love you, Aurette.”

[jeweledmaiden-deactivated202107]

Man to Man

[sonofcyrodiil]

When he stepped through the threshold, Maximus embraced Aurette and pecked her cheek. He wasn’t sure what to make of Millie’s absence. Normally she would have been the first in his arms before he was barely able to enter the house. 

“I’d tell you not to worry about tonight, dearest, but I know you better than that. I’m bein’ serious, though, when I say you shouldn’t let the fear of Miss Millian acting out ruin the nice evenin’ this is supposed to be.” Elsith watched as he readied himself. “Someday she’ll see that gentle wildflower of a man is perfect for her mama.”

“Pray that ‘someday’ is tonight, will you?” 

Max hung his cape on one of the silver coat hooks by the front door. He clasped his hands behind his back, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized the interior of the little cottage.

“Mm, I expect this isn’t the castle you intend for my sweet ladies to live in forever? Especially near a dingy town like Riften.”

[vistrasza]

Once again, Llandras Redoran, my ESO character, by the amazing @xla-hainex.

Love her art, she is a great artist and I don’t regret to commissioned her twice !

[jeweledmaiden-deactivated202107]

Hostile

[sonofcyrodiil]

Maximus stood his ground; meeting her eyes as she met his. 

“Funny. That would explain why you turned out the way you did.” 

He didn’t want to admit she learned her behavior from him. As much as he tried to hide it from her over the years, he hadn’t been as successful as he thought. He didn’t think he projected his problems enough for it to bleed onto poor Millian. The times he and Aurette raised their voices behind a closed door; the weeks he cut contact suddenly because he didn’t want them to witness him in whatever state in which he was drowning himself. It all translated. He more he tried to protect her, the worse he made it. 

His mouth snapped shut when the blade met his chin. He would say he had every right to talk about Aurette. She was the least to be defending her mother at this very moment. 

Max felt the prick of the blade pierce his chin, ever so slightly. His eyes never moved from her form. These weren’t his choices. They were hers, and hers alone. As he had chosen his actions when she was a child, she was in control of hers. 

He slowly reached for her arm, then stopped and winced. He touched his chin when the blade was removed to check the damage. From his pack, he produced a wad of gauze and held it to his skin. Another scar for the collection. He steadied himself against a nearby tree when she pushed him, then sunk to the ground beside her.

“Millian Eloise Jurard, you are better than this.” Max removed the dagger from her hand and threw it into a grove of trees. He set the gauze aside and took the sides of her face in his hands. “I can’t understand what your anger is like unless you tell me. I...” he touched his bloody neck, wiping it on the gauze. “I can’t believe you would...” he growled under his breath. “Why, why would you even think to press a knife to me?” 

Max pulled her from the ground by her wrists. “You’re coming home. I don’t care what you did. Gods forbid you follow my footsteps. I’m beyond words at this point, Millie. I ran from my problems, but you will not.”

[jeweledmaiden-deactivated202107]

Man to Man

[sonofcyrodiil]

“Oh, but why must we be separate? Elsith would love to join in the group bed!” Max clasped his hands to his chest. “The more the merrier!”

He swore he could hear Elsith howling with laughter miles away. He knew she would have her own opinions to add, but he wasn’t sure he wanted her to voice them. 

“Hm. We have all night to explore that, now don’t we?” Max gave him one last smirk as he strolled away. That didn’t go as expected.

[jeweledmaiden-deactivated202107]

Man to Man

[sonofcyrodiil]

“Shame on me for not obliging sooner.” Max’s small smile remained, but a suspicious tint ghosted his face. “Good friends, a meal I don’t have to cook myself, and a bed when I’m too tired to return home. Mind if I sleep between you and Aurette when you’re married, too? I don’t take that much room. I wake abruptly in a cold sweat sometimes, but you can move me to the end of the bed.” 

After Eiric’s report of Millie, his burning cheeks drained of their color. Tonight should be peaceful. A long needed dinner and chat with their growing family. The thought of Millie misbehaving had somehow not occurred to him. He wanted to believe that his presence would calm her, but he had his doubts. 

“I wasn’t aware of that. I should know what’s going on in case I...need to...intervene.” He let out a slow breath. "Well. I need to make myself more presentable if I’m to dine in your fine company.” He gestured to Eiric’s now more unkempt attire as he backed away. “I’ll need you less dusty, too.” 

[jeweledmaiden-deactivated202107]

Hostile

sonofcyrodiil said:

“This is not a negotiation. You can’t stay out here, Millian. You’re coming home.”

Maximus’ voice was low and far away, and her head was down with her chin against her armor; Millie sat on a group of rocks with her sword in her hands, the tip of the blade pressed into the ground. She chewed on a long piece of her curly hair, quietly. Angrily.

“Get outta here, Max.” Millie said under her breath, her voice laced with contempt. “I won’ tell you again.”

She was warming steadily in her armor, wanting desperately to take it off and leave it behind, and just run far, far away. Get out of here faster than anyone could count.

“If I have ta tell ya again, you’re goin’ ta get this sword through your chest,”

[sonofcyrodiil]

Leaves crunched under his boots as he walked closer to her. 

“I don’t know where you got the indication that you could speak to me like that. And get your hair out of your mouth; you’re not a four year old.” Max flipped the hair out when her teeth weren’t firmly clenched on it. 

He watched her crinkled face. He didn’t have a clue what she did this time. There could be a myriad of guesses - issue with the legion, getting into another fight, something with the family he didn’t know about? 

“Yes, I’m sure you simply dream of impaling the chest you trustingly fell asleep on so many times. Your mother would be proud of you. Love, I honestly can’t fathom why you insist on trying to deal with problems this way.” Max crossed his arms. “We don’t need to talk now, but you will be coming home, whether it’s to my place or yours.”

[sonofcyrodiil]

Tagged by: @jeweledmaiden

RULES: bold the things about your muse, italicize the things maybe possibly almost about your muse

Muse: Maximus

AIR:

I have small hands • I love the night sky • I watch small animals and birds when I pass them by • I drink herbal tea • I wake to see dawn • The smell of dust is comforting • I’m valued for being wise • I prefer books to music • I meditate • I find joy in learning new truths from the world around me

FIRE:

I don’t have straight hair • I like to wear ripped jeans and overalls • I play an organized sport • I love dogs • I am not afraid of adventure • I love to talk to strangers • I always try new foods • I enjoy road trips • Summer is my favourite season • My radio is always playing

WATER:

I wear bracelets on my wrists • I love the bustle of the city • I have more than one set of piercings • I read poetry • I love the sound of a thunderstorm • I want to travel the world • I sleep past midday most days • I love dimly lit diners and fluorescent signs • I rewatch kids’ shows out of nostalgia • I see emotions in colours, not words

EARTH:

I wear glasses/contacts • I enjoy doing the laundry • I am a vegetarian or vegan • I have an excellent sense of time • My humour is very cheerful • I am a valued advisor to my friends • I believe in true love • I love the chill of mountain air • I’m always listening to music • I am highly trusted by the people in my life

AETHER:

I go without makeup in my daily life • I make my own artwork • I keep on track of my tasks and time • I always know true north • I see beauty in everything • I can always smell flowers • I smile at everyone I pass by • I always fear history repeating itself • I have recovered from a mental disorder (trauma) • I can love unconditionally Tagging: no

[sonofcyrodiil]

Muse Bravery Checklist

Reblog or repost and fill out the form all about what your muse would/wouldn’t be brave enough to do. Then tag any friends you’d like to see do it as well! Note that some of these aren’t smart things to do (don’t use Ouija boards or try getting into the Dark Web, bruh) but in this case, bravery and risk are both included.

Muse: Maximus

My muse would …

[] Spend the night in a haunted building [X] Go into a burning/collapsing building to save someone [] Take a shortcut through a dark alleyway [X] Stay calm with a weapon pointed at them [X] Be confident defending themselves from an attack [] Touch a dangerous exotic animal [X] Take someone else’s punishment to protect them [X] Travel to an unknown place by themselves [X] Spend a night in the woods alone [X] Witness (or join) a seance [] Play a scary video game in the dark alone [] Explore a pitch black catacomb with only one light [] Contact the spirit of someone they once knew [] Spend the night in a cemetery [] Sit in a room with one hundred creepy dolls [] Hang their feet over the edge of a tall building [] Swim in dark, murky waters without being able to touch the bottom [] Use or accept a powerful magic spell [] Be covered in spiders, snakes, or other insects [X] Go looking for the source of a mysterious sound late at night [] Spend an hour sealed up in a coffin [X] Go sailing miles from shore without any communication [] Use a Ouija board [] Go diving in a dark, underwater cave [] Climb through a long tunnel just big enough to fit through [X] Explore a spot where cult rituals were performed [X] Go walking late at night, alone [] Spend the night in a home where someone was murdered [] Go surfing on the Dark Web [] Play an urban legend game (bloody mary, the midnight man, etc…) [X] Stay home alone with a suspected killer on the loose [] Climb a dangerous mountain where many others have died on their way to the top [X] Explore ancient ruins where strange things have happened [] Touch a supposedly cursed object [X] Check out a creepy cellar or attic [] Cross an unstable bridge over a huge drop [] Pick up a hitchhiker in the middle of the night

Tagged by: @jeweledmaiden Tagging: nooo

[jeweledmaiden-deactivated202107]

Man to Man

[sonofcyrodiil]

“I don’t have a good excuse for you. But I would be happy to rectify that this evening."

A little more accurately, he didn't want to share his excuses. He knew they were ridiculous. Otherwise Aurette wouldn't be so taken with him. Eiric didn't seem like the kind of man to think Maximus was overstepping his boundaries by continuing to spend time with his girls like he had since Millie was seven. He truly did want to become more acquainted with Eiric.

“Aaand we’re done. I've never seen your eyes do that and I don't wish to again." Max pursed his lips and swiveled his head away when Eiric loosened his shirt, his cheeks red. "I need a candlelit dinner beforehand so I would have turned you down anyway."

[jeweledmaiden-deactivated202107]

Man to Man

[sonofcyrodiil]

“She did, but I can’t give my blessing until I know you better.” 

Max was glad Eiric turned away from him so he couldn’t see his face instantly fall. His jaw tightened. No, no, it must have been his poor choice of words.

“Jealousy. Eiric, you’re joking.” He forced himself to smile again. “If Aurette wanted to marry me, we would have years ago before you even knew she existed. Or are you concerned that I’m jealous of her? Oh.” He batted his eyes. “This is so sudden. Such a turn of events. You should be more up front with Aurette.”